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Still Searching For a Motive: Associated Press: “It wasn’t clear why [Paul] Ciancia targeted TSA officers, but what he left behind indicated he was willing to kill any of them who crossed his path, authorities revealed. The letter in his duffel bag refers to how Ciancia believed his constitutional rights were being violated by TSA searches and that he’s a ‘pissed-off patriot,’ upset at former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. ‘Black, white, yellow, brown, I don’t discriminate,’ the note read, according to a paraphrase by a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. … The screed mentioned ‘fiat currency’ and ‘NWO,’ possible references to the New World Order, a conspiracy theory that foresees a totalitarian one-world government. The letter also talked about ‘how easy it is to get a gun into the airport,’ the law enforcement official said.”
The Gun: Los Angeles Times: “The semiautomatic rifle used in the LAX shooting rampage Friday was purchased at a Van Nuys gun store and could fit into the bag the alleged gunman brought to the airport, a federal law enforcement source told The Times. The source said the weapon was a Smith and Wesson M&P 15, 5.56-millimeter and .223-caliber, which was purchased at the Target Range Gun Store, 16140 Cohasset St., Van Nuys. The source said the weapon is ‘collapsible’ to be assembled later. But it could “easily fit ready to fire” into the luggage bag the alleged shooter brought into the airport, added the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing.”
Family Speaks: NBC News: Ciancia’s family ” broke their silence Monday to express sympathy for the victims and pledge love and support for the suspect. … They said they had fully cooperated with federal investigators probing the ambush of Transportation Security Administration workers and offered their condolences to the family of slain TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez. … ‘Paul is our son and brother. We will continue to love him and care for him. We will support him through the difficult times ahead,’ they said.”
The Slatest: The Police Came Painfully Close to Stopping the LAX Shooting Before It Began
It’s Monday, November 4th, welcome to the Slatest PM. Follow your afternoon host on Twitter at @Dan_Gartland, and the whole team at @Slatest.
The Slatest: How Does an NFL Lineman Bully His 300-Pound Teammate? Allegedly With Racist Texts and Voice Mails.
SCOTUS Won’t Hear Okla. Abortion Appeal: Washington Post:” The Supreme Court left in place Monday a decision by Oklahoma’s highest court that a major provision of that state’s new abortion law is unconstitutional because it effectively bans all medication abortions. The high court last summer had tenatively agreed to consider the issue but asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court for clarification on exactly what the law proscribes. The Oklahoma court issued an opinion last week that the law would effectively end the early-term practice of medication-induced abortions, and was thus unconstitutional. Upon receiving the Oklahoma opinion, the Supreme Court then announced Monday that it will not schedule the case for briefing and consideration. … It is clear, however, that there are other ways for the issue to reach the Supreme Court. A number of states have passed similar restrictions on medication abortions, and the issue is working its way through the courts.”
The XX Factor: In Risky Move, Texas Abortion Providers Turn to the Supreme Court
ENDA Finds The Necessary Support (In the Senate): New York Times: “A measure that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to federal nondiscrimination law has gained its 60th supporter in the Senate, giving it what appears to be a filibuster-proof majority as a key vote looms. Senator Dean Heller, Republican of Nevada, announced Monday that he would vote yes on the bill, known as the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, saying that after conversations with voters at home and colleagues in the Senate, he had come to the determination that ‘supporting this legislation is the right thing to do.’ … Because of opposition in the Republican-controlled House, passage there seems unlikely. Speaker John A. Boehner reiterated his objections to the bill on Monday, releasing a statement that said he believed it would invite too many lawsuits.”
Outward: Maine Democratic Candidate for Governor Comes Out as Gay
Twitter Boosts IPO Range: Reuters: “Twitter Inc raised the top end of its IPO price range by 25 percent and will close its books a day early, signaling strong demand for the most closely watched Silicon Valley debut since Facebook Inc last year. Amid a red-hot market for initial public offerings and soaring equity markets, Twitter raised its price range to $23 to $25 per share on Monday, but kept the offering size at 70 million shares. That means it will raise up to $2 billion if an overallotment option of 10.5 million shares is exercised.”
Weigel: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Is Getting Ready to Go National.
Blackberry Changes Its Mind: Reuters: “BlackBerry Ltd is abandoning a plan to sell itself, the major thrust of the rescue campaign crafted by the smartphone company’s board, and said on Monday its chief executive will resign. Unable to get a buyout offer for the company finalized after a strategic review that lasted more than two months, BlackBerry said it will instead raise about $1 billion from its largest shareholder, Fairfax Financial Holdings, and other institutional investors.”
Politics: How Politics, Partisanship, and Spin Doomed Healthcare.gov.
Six Years Later, Man Convicted of Murdering NFL Player: Miami Herald: “The jury in the murder trial of football star Sean Taylor has found accused shooter Eric Rivera guilty of second-degree murder. He was also found guilty of armed burglary, though jurors did not find Rivera of being in possession of a gun in the murder charge.”
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